LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  Police at Los Angeles International Airport are beefing up patrols during the 10-day Thanksgiving period that begins Friday.

Police said they have new tools to ensure public safety at the airport, which includes 14 motorcycles, three electric standup vehicles, and a new fleet of state-of-the-art cars equipped with license plate recognition systems.

We use the system for different reasons. One of them is to identify any vehicles that may have been involved in criminal acts, said Lt. Masis Sossikian from L.A. Airport Police.

The system also allows officials to check when and where a criminal entered the airport.

Police believe the new equipment will curb criminal activity, such as vehicle thefts.

Travelers, however, should also do their part to keep their items safe.

Our goal is to have people hide their valuables and make sure their cars are locked, said Chief Michael Hyams.

As always, officials encouraged the estimated 1.8 million travelers to arrive at LAX early and be prepared.

Passengers on flights between LAX and cities that are traditionally popular with Angelenos, such as San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, Boston, and New York, may find those flights fully booked, said Arif Alikhan from Homeland Security.

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